How to say it
max · INE
mækˈsiːn
Feminine
Maxine
Greatest
What it means
A feminine form of Max and Maximus, from the Latin maximus, 'greatest.'
Maxine is the feminine of Max and Maximus, from the Latin maximus, 'greatest.' It peaked in the 1930s and 40s with a jazzy, confident sound, and is now climbing back as a vintage gem. Max and Maxie are the spunky shorts. Said mak-SEEN.
How to spell Maxine
The standard spelling is Maxine. Common variants include Maxene, Maxime, Massima, but Maxine is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #76 in 1923, currently #497 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Max, Maxie.
- Spelling
The feminine of Max; means 'greatest.'
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Maxine Waters U.S. Representative from California serving since 1991
Spelling variants
- Maxene
- Maxime
- Massima
Names with the same feeling
See Maxine from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Maxine mean?
- A feminine form of Max and Maximus, from the Latin maximus, 'greatest.'
- What does Maxine mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Maxine means "Greatest." Maxine is the feminine of Max and Maximus, from the Latin maximus, 'greatest.' It peaked in the 1930s and 40s with a jazzy, confident sound, and is now climbing back as a vintage gem. Max and Maxie are the spunky shorts. Said mak-SEEN.
- How do you pronounce Maxine?
- Maxine is pronounced mækˈsiːn. Say it as max-INE, with the stress on the "ine" syllable.
- How do you spell Maxine?
- The standard spelling is Maxine. Common spelling variants include Maxene, Maxime, Massima.
- Is Maxine a boy or girl name?
- Maxine is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Maxine?
- Maxine ranked #497 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.